Controversial development sent back to the planners

5:06pm Tuesday 8th July 2008

The controversial Castle Pill marina development has been referred back to the county council's planning officers following a meeting of the planning committee today (Tuesday).

The proposal for 72 dwellings and a 200 berth marina was given outline planning permission in 2001.

Today Cllr Danny Fellows proposed that the planning application be referred back to the planning officers, telling members of the committee that he approved of the "clean, sustainable" jobs the marina complex would provide, but showed anxiety about when it would go ahead.

"It was first registered in 2001, we are now in 2008 and nothing seems to have been done by the developer and that is giving me some concern," said the Milford East councillor, who also highlighted flaws in the access to the new homes and businesses and the issue of those who kept their boats at Castle Pill: "In my view they would have to be part of the talks," he said.

Cllr Malcolm Calver disagreed with the proposal, arguing that the access issues had already been approved by the Highways officers in the original outline plan.

"The details must be right for the future economic wellbeing of Milford Haven," said Cllr John Allen-Mirehouse before seconding Cllr Fellow's proposal.

18 councillors voted to refer the plans back to the officers while two voted against.